SA accepts Zimbabwe's comments on Moyo tirade
January 20, 2003 Edition -1
The South African government has "noted and accepted" the Zimbabwean government's explanation of remarks by its information minister, who called South Africans "filthy, recklessly uncouth and barbaric".
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said yesterday the government had requested an explanation from Zimbabwean authorities regarding Jonathan Moyo's remarks.
Moyo's outburst followed a story in the Sunday Times of January 12 about his shopping trip to South Africa, when he spent large sums on luxury items while millions of his fellow Zimbabweans face starvation.
Pretoria's request - on Tuesday - for an explanation from Harare can be seen in diplomatic terms as an extreme form of criticism.
Harare's reply criticises the Sunday Times for its "invasion" of Moyo's privacy and "disregard" for his status as a cabinet minister.
However, it goes on to distance itself from "inferences" that "cast aspersions on President Thabo Mbeki's impeccable credentials as a Pan-Africanist. Nothing could be further from the truth", the Zimbabwean government says.
"The Zimbabwe government respects and supports the role and efforts of His Excellency President Thabo Mbeki to bring about the dawn of a new Africa," it said.
Mamoepa said the government accepted the reassurance "in as far as it pertains to the government and people of South Africa". - Sapa
